Islamabad seeks to modernize air fleet to keep up with rival India

World Bulletin / News Desk

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) on Thursday inducted 16 new JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, officials and local media reported.

The new aircraft are part of Pakistan’s modernization of its air fleet to compete with the Indian Air Force, which has more than 2,000 aircraft compared to the PAF’s current strength of around 920 planes and helicopters.

Defense Minister Khawaja Asif and PAF head, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, oversaw a ceremony at Kamra air base in the northeastern province of Punjab.

Pakistan already has more than 70 JF-17s, the first of which entered service in 2009.

The single-engine multi-role jets have been jointly developed by Pakistan and China. Each one can carry up to 3,630 kilograms (8,000 pounds) of weapons, reach speeds of up to 2,200 kilometers per hour (1,370 miles per hour) and have a combat radius of 1,350 kilometers (840 miles).

Pakistan is scheduled to receive four Russian-made Mi-35 attack helicopters later this year.